Tarsus

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
“No mean city.” Thus did the apostle Paul speak of his native place, Tarsus; the modern town that has taken its place is represented above. Tarsus was a city once famous for its learning, and also for its commerce, and was of importance in the days of the apostle. “Saul of Tarsus” is the most remarkable name that is known amongst the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was none like him in hatred to Jesus until the Lord revealed Himself to him from heaven, and none like him in zeal for the Lord from that day. “Saul,” who also is called, “Paul,” is a pattern of Christian energy, and his life is one long lesson of absolute devotion to the Lord and the things the Lord loves.
Seek to gain an insight into his “manner of life” as well as his “gospel.” Mark his energy (Col. 1:28, 2928Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1:28‑29)), and his humility (1 Cor. 15:99For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:9)). See in him the untiring racer (Phil. 3:12, 1412Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12)
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)), the tenderest nurse (1 Thess. 2:7, 87But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7‑8)), and the wise father (1 Thess. 2:1111As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11)). Behold in him the preacher of the greatest of divine mysteries (Eph. 3:33How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (Ephesians 3:3)), the succourer of the poor (Gal. 2:1010Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (Galatians 2:10)), and the servant of all (1 Cor. 9:1919For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (1 Corinthians 9:19)). Great men sometimes frighten ordinary people, but Paul was great like his Lord and Master, and as sent from the Lord showed the mightiest sign of apostleship first, even Christ-like patience, and power and miracles next. (2 Cor. 12:1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12)). No weak believer was trodden upon but he felt it (2 Cor. 11:2929Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? (2 Corinthians 11:29)); no kind of soul difficulty presented itself to him, but he entered heart and soul into the position of the person he spoke to. (1 Cor. 9:2222To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)). He laboured with his hands, supporting himself (1 Cor. 4:1212And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: (1 Corinthians 4:12)), and at times others also (Acts 21:34, 3534And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. (Acts 21:34‑35)), and could say from the bottom of his heart, “To me to live is Christ, and to die. . .” (Phlm 1:21).
We would ask our young readers to copy out for themselves, for his or her profit, the references which we have given ; look well into the picture they present of a man of God, and the more you look the more you will love the portrait, and seek to be followers of him, even as he was of Christ. There is an exceeding attractiveness in a noble Christian life; it stirs our souls, calls up heavenly energies, stimulates to self-sacrifice, and teaches us humility.